Recently geek weblog Lifehacker asked its visitors “What books have changed your life?“ The results included typical (and great) geek favorites from authors like Douglas Adams (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy), J.R.R. Tolkien (Lord of the Rings), and George Orwell (1984). However, perhaps surprisingly, the most popular vote-getter was The Bible.
The New Yorker magazine remarks regarding the ongoing popularity of the Bible:
The Bible is the best-selling book of the year, every year. Calculating how many Bibles are sold in the United States is a virtually impossible task, but a conservative estimate is that in 2005 Americans purchased some twenty-five million Bibles—twice as many as the most recent Harry Potter book.
It’s impossible to ignore the incredible impact of the Bible on the world. It seems like it’d be silly to ignore it, considering its pervasive influence on our lives. Why would people bother reading such an old book? There’s a couple good reasons discussed in that short article, besides the Bible’s huge social influence. To better understand how it fits into and has shaped your world, you can also take an online tour through the Bible.
Which books have changed your life? Let us know!
(Image credit: Celeste)
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One book that changed my life was Carl Sagan’s The Demon-Haunted World. It’s simply exquisite, full of humility and wonder, and I recommend it to everyone of all stripes.